Variable length rip cord, housing, and rip cord pocket



M. H. INGELS ETAL VARIABLE LENGTH RIP CORD, HOUSING AND RIP CORD POCKETFiled Dec. 17, 1948 July 1951 MAR/0N H. INGELs ANTHONY 6. BINDERPatented July 24, 1951 VARIABLE LENGTH RIP CORD, HOUSING, AND RIP CORDPOCKET Marion H. lngels and Anthony C. Binder, United States NavyApplication December 17, 1948, Serial No. 65,955

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 3700. G. 757) 9 Claims.

The present invention relates to parachute rip cord apparatus and moreparticularly to parachute rip cord apparatus in which one rip cord maybe used in either of two predetermined lengths without replacement ofthe rip cord and the housing therefor.

The standard seat service type parachute, when fitted with a life raftor other equipment, has been found unsuitable for service, due to therepositioning of the rip cord pocket when proper parachute adjustment ismade. This position of the pocket, particularly on persons of largestature, is beyond the reach of the wearer. Furthermore, if the wearerof the parachute is clothed with conventional flight gear, the pocketand the rip cord handle become further inaccessible.

From the above, it is clear that a longer rip cord is required in orderto accommodate the use of additional equipment with the parachute. Asthis long rip cord and housing are not needed when using the parachutewithout the life raft, or other equipment, it is apparent that avariable length rip cord and housing would attain the most eflicientresults. It has been determined that the additional length of rip cordnecessary to meet these varying requirements is approximately fourinches.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provideparachute rip cord apparatus which may be used conveniently in allcases, re-

gardless of the equipment attached to the parachute, or the size of thewearer.

Another object is to provide parachute rip cord apparatus having avariable length rip cord and requiring a minimum amount of replacementor modification of standard rip cord apparatus.

A further object of the invention is the provision of parachute rip cordapparatus which may be used in either of two predetermined lengthswithout replacement of the rip cord and the housing therefor.

Still another object is to provide a variable length rip cord for aparachute wherein the excess length of the cord may be stowed where itcannot interfere with the normal operation of the rip cord apparatus.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this inventionwill be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a plan View, parts thereof being shown in section, of apreferred embodiment of the invention attached in extended position to astrap of the parachute harness.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rip cord handle of Fig. 1 with the rip cordin shortened position thereon.

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2 illustrating therip cord in place in short: ened position.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the fitting and extension connections ofFig. 1; and

Fig. 5 illustrates a modification of the rip cord handle.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference charactersdesignate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,there is shown in Fig. 1, which illustrates a preferred embodiment, aparachute rip cord apparatus, designated generally as II, in place on astrap I2 of a parachute harness, rip cord apparatus II comprising apocket I3 sewn, or otherwise secured, to strap I2, a rip cord handle I4positioned in pocket l3, and a rip cord housing or cable I5 slidablyattached to strap I2 by threads I6, cable I5 containing the rip cordI'I.

Rip cord handle I4 is of metallic stock and has a generally trapezoidalframe, there being a slot I8 in one side thereof through which rip cordIl passes in the conventional rip cord apparatus. According to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, a bar I9, preferably ofmetallic stock machined in a manner to be described, is welded orotherwise secured to the sides of the frame of handle I4 parallel to andadjacent the long parallel side of handle [4.

Bar [9 is preferably turned from solid stock, and before securing it inplace in the handle I4. two holes 2| and 22 are drilled therein and thenjoined by milling a slot 23 between them. The bar I9 is then drilled upfrom the bottom, forming a bOre 40, to a point just through the lowerhole 2 I, and drilled down from the top forming a bore 4|, through thetop hole 22 and half Way down the slotted section 23, leaving a seat 24between the holes on which the swaged ball 25 of the rip cord Il restswhen the rip cord is in the sortened position (see Fig. 3). The lowerside of handle I4 has an aperture 42 therein, the upper end of which iscounter bored to form a seat 43. Bar I9 is then secured in positionbetween the upper and lower sides 01 the handle in parallelism with side20, with bore 4| in axial alignment with bore 42. It will be noted thatbore 4| terminates adjacent and in alignment with seat 43. In theextended position of the rip cord, as shown in Fig. 1, swaged ball 25rests in the bottom of bar 3 l9 in seat 43. The rip cord is made aboutfour or four and one half inches longer than standard in order to use itin both positions.

The end of the rip cord is then inserted through bore 42, upwardlythrough bore 40, and out hole 21,.

bores 40 and M are of sufficient size to permit swaged ball 25 to passtherethrough, said ball; being secured to the end of the. rip cord afterbar 19 has been secured in place to prevent. ac, cidental burning of thecord or destruction there! of due to heat in securing the bar to.thehandlm.

The aperture in the lower side of handle M. is:

that itwould be difiicult to align the rip cord I! and cable along thecenter of. strap i2 and still maintain a smooth transition between theportion, of the cord within the handle M and the external portion so asto prevent snagins of premat re re ease.

In order to adapt the rip cord handle and cable foruse with aconventional pocket it was found necessary to modify the pocket to someextent.

Thus a hole 26 was punched in the bottom of pocket I3, centrallythereof, but this alone was foundunsatisfactory, as the housing or cablehad to be held firmly in place at the bottom of the rip cord pocket. Toovercome this difficulty,

an oval metal fitting 2'1, shown in detail in Fig. 4,

having a hole 28 in each side thereof, is fitted into the bottom of"pocket l3 and heldin position, as shown in Fig. l, by sewing to thepocket I3 and strap 12, holes 28 being used for this purpose. Fitting21. terminates in a section withsubstantially the same size and shape ascable [5, andis attached to cable i5by meansof a split" connector, 29,the details of which are shown in Fig- 4.. Split connector 29 connectsfitting 2'! to.a cable extension section 3 l' which is connectedbyanother split connector 28 to the major section of cable (see Fig, 1).

This type of. construction permits complete.

interchangeability of connecting parts and eliminates theexposed ripcord between the cable or housing and the pocket. It also eliminates anyvariation in, the distance between the housing andthe pocket whenpacking, as the housing is always connected directly tov the pocket Theconstruction also removes the housing or' cable from the front edge ofthe webbing below the pocket and places it in the centerof t-heweb bin-gdirectly below the pocket. as shown, in Fig. 1.

In using the apparatus of the present invention, the ripcord may beattached in its extended position, asshown in Fig. 1, v with extension31 of the cable or housing connected to fitting 2:1" by, means of oneconnector 29; and attachedto the other portion of the cable orhousingbymeans of the other connector 29, swaged ball 25 being in its lowerposition. When it is; desired to use the shorter length of ripcord, therip cord pins are removed from their positions intheparachuteand thehandle l4-and cord 1-1 are removed. Connectors 2 9 are unfastened andBall 25 is, then secured to the end. of the rip'cord. The two holes 2;!and 22 and;

.4 extension 3! is detached, swaged ball 25 being pulled back to itsother position on seat 24. The apparatus is then reconnected and isready for use in its shorter length.

Referring now to Fig. 5, there is shown a modification of the rip. cordhandle wherein abar 59, similar to bar l9;- in all constructionaldetails, is welded or otherwise secured to the handle 54 in a diagonalposition extending from the conventional slot 58 to the opposite corner5|. Rip cord 51 iS passed through slot 58 and through tube 59 and isheld in either position in the same manner as; that described in theembodiment of Fig.1.

The handle structure of Fig. 5 eliminates the necessity of additionallyaltering the conventionalg, structure, since the original slot is used.However, this embodiment does not provide the centrally; positioned ripcord housing or cable, or the detachable connection therefor. In eithercase the bar is positioned sufiiciently distant from the protrudingsideof thehandle frame to permit easy insertion of the gloved handof;thewearer.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of-the present inventionare possible in 'theligl'i-t of the above teachings. It is, therefore;to-be-understood, that Within the scope of the appended claims; theinvention may: be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

The invention described herein may heme-nu factureda-nd usedby or forthe Ciovernmentmfi the United; States of=America for governmentaLpurposes without the payment of any royalties;

thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:-

1. In a: parachuteharness. rip cord apparatus-2 having arip cord. and-a.rip cord handle, a tubular member secured to said :handleandhaving: as

pair of= spaced openings adjacent. one. end there, of comiectedby a.-slot,. aseat. member in said; tubular. member; and positionedintermediate: said openings, said cord extending through said:

handle. and said memberandarranged tube; light.

in. either. of two; positionaone position being: against saidx-seat.member and the other, being attheother end of said tubular member;

2. The combination according to claim.

wherein. said. tubular; member is: positioned. adjacenizone; sidegofsaid handle.

3, The. combination, according to claim.- 1... wherein. said, tubularmember is. positioned sub, stantially parallel to. and adjacent onesidepof,v said. handle.

4;, In;,.cor nbination with a. parachute; harness,

having astrap, a. pocket, secured to, said strap,v a

rip cord. handle, detachably' positioned in. said. pocket and having,apportion. thereof extending outwardly. therefrom, guide. means securedin the. bottom portionof said pocket and having a.por.-

tion thereof extending outwardly therethrough,v

a rip cord cable extending through said handle, andmeans on saidgguidemeans and said handle for holding, said cable ineither of two positions.

5.. In. combination with. a parachutev harness" havinaastrap, a pocketsecured to said strap, a.

rip cord handle detachably positioned in said" pocket and having aportion thereof extending" outwardly; therefrom; a fitting; secured inthe bottom portion of said pocket and extending outwardly therethrough,a rip cord cable-extend ing through said fitting and" said handle,means-v on said handle for retaining saidcable in either of twopositions, and a housingfor said cable con nected to said fitting.

said grip, and means to secure the end of said cable at each of morethan one position within said grip.

MARION I-I. INGELS. ANTHONY C. BINDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Waite et al June 27, 1939 Number

